The scene is reminiscent of a quirky fairy tale: an elegant 18th-century Baroque palace, dinosaurs fashioned out of more than 450,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds, and Rapunzel’s braid dangling from a cobbled tower. This unlikely trio came together at the world’s largest pumpkin festival, held on the grounds of the Ludwigsburg Palace in Germany. With just days to go before we departed for our Southeast Asian sabbatical last autumn, we accompanied my parents, and their fluffy canines Gigi and Meg to the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Fest. It was a late afternoon plentiful with prize pumpkins from around Europe, specimens grown ’round the world, and pumpkin products and dishes to tempt even the pickiest of palates (sparkling wine, strudel, pasta, muffins and quiche infused with pumpkins).

Each year, there’s a different theme. One year organizers paid homage to undersea critters, last year it was dinosaurs, and this year, I hear there’s a tribute to Switzerland (think Swiss Army knives and timepieces fashioned out of the ubiquitous Halloween fruit).

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought it fitting to enjoy these scenes from a pumpkin festival’s past. If you’re in Germany this fall, the fest goes through early November!

Pumpkin recipes: There are so many pumpkin recipes I love. A month or so ago I prepared a pumpkin recipe, and then this past week I made a brownie with a graham cracker pumpkin pie spice combination. Still preparing something soon : )

Tricia, I have to admit, I am a tad bit jealous and homesick while going through your photos on this post. Autumn is my favorite season back home because of the fall foliage, Halloween, Thanksgiving, cute coats and boots! Not to mention the excitement leading up to the holidays!

There is a real fascination with pumpkins – every where. Down the road from The Farm we see fields covered with pumpkins and the children choosing their favorite. In Ontario (where we spend time) they grow pumpkins that are enormous. Last year l,808.5 pounds. Shades of Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin. Love your photographs of some very strange pumpkin creations. Virginia

We just finished carving our 4 creations this past weekend – Wink, Schmooo, Moustache and Cat. Did you do any carving this year? Tonight, the little trick-or-treaters come. Having been away from the US for 10 Halloweens, it’s fun to see the custom again. :)

Alas and alack Tricia – there is only 3 young children the length of our road. Their parents take them into the village for trick or treating. I quite love seeing the children in their dress up costumes, so we are driving to my brothers (45 min away) to spend Halloween with them and their two young boys. Of course I am going in costume. I have an exotic silk ensemble (tunic and skirt) from Indian. The Good Husband is going as “men in black”. Virginia

Virginia, I do hope you will post pictures of your exotic costumes and traditional evening. :) Safe travels and have fun tonight! (I’m sad that my German Dirndl / traditional dress is in Germany tonight, otherwise I’d love to be in costume while helping give out goodies.)